Thyroid cancer

I am almost 18 and have had surgery twice, both of which were because of thyroid cancer. I ended up going to the doctors because my throat was hurting really bad so they looked and didn't see anything, but since my sister was diagnosed with Papillary cancer (a type of thyroid cancer) they wanted me to get an ultrasound to rule it out. After the ultrasound a couple weeks later, they had to perform a biopsy on a mass that they found. We got the results back and sure enough I had the same cancer she had. I ended up getting surgery that September (I was 15), I was able to leave the hospital that night. After surgery I had to get radiation iodine treatment. I had to go on a no salt diet (which was not fun at all). I couldn't see anyone in the house for 3-5 days. I was all fine and cancer free after that, but am now on a thyroid replacement medication that I have to take every day for the rest of my life. One of the days I had to go back for a check-up to get an ultrasound to make sure nothing else has arrived, they found another mass closer to my windpipe. I had to get another biopsy, sure enough the same cancer again. The following July after my first surgery I had to have another surgery. They were telling me that they might have to take a piece of my windpipe out because they mass was pretty close to it. They set me up with a second surgeon that specializes in the windpipe area. If I were to get that part taken out I would have to have a stitch keeping my head from moving. The stitch would be from my chin to my chest. Thank God I didn't have to have that part done, but yet another successful surgery, the only downfall was they hit a nerve and now my neck is in a half numb state. I had to stay in the hospital for two days this time. I got radiation iodine again and was cancer free. My sister last February had a second surgery as well. Our doctors said that it was strange that we both had gotten thyroid cancer as young as we did, and they also found it strange that we both (being sisters) had the same cancer. They thought it was genetic, but we did some tests and they couldn't prove it was genetic so now they are wondering if it was environmental from exposure to radiation living near a nuclear plant. Some people laugh at us when we say this. Just last year before my second niece was born my Oldest brother had gotten thyroid cancer as well. I guess on the plus side, if my sister and I stand side my side our scars on our necks look like a smile.

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